Friday, September 10, 2010

How to use your camera – Where to start


So where do you start if you want to learn to use your camera? Well the best place is by getting both the camera and it's manual out together. If you are one of those folks who always say “I just need to take the time and sit down and learn how my camera works,” this is the time.
Before turning the camera on, look at the “Quick Start Guide” that came with your camera. It will tell you things like how to turn it on, insert the batteries, charging time for the batteries and how to shoot pictures. I might include how to hold the camera and how to frame shots as well.
Take a look at the “mode dial” on your camera if it has one. If you don't know what this is, check for it in the manual, and read about all that it does. Most of these will have little picture symbols on them and some version of P, S, A, and M painted or stamped on the surface. It will also have an auto setting as well, and there could be others. The Mode dial is where you will be able to change or set the camera for most of the settings you will want to use. Not all cameras are equipped with mode dials though, Some only have internal menus to work from. Cameras with mode dials also have the same settings in their menus as well.
Take the time to look at all the menu options. Usually there are three basic categories including “Settings or Setup,” a “Shooting” menu, and a “review” menu. Most cameras also have buttons on the outside that speed up certain tasks like image review and delete, video, and other commonly used tools. Experiment with the various settings you find on your camera and in the manual. We'll talk about many of these in later blogs, but for now you need to start becoming familier with both your camera's manual, and the menu options in each categorie available for you particulare make and model of camera.
Next we'll begin working with some of the basic settings like what is ISO, and White Balance, and why they are important.

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Photography Tips

Here are a few things you can do to improve your photography that will apply regardless of what camera you use. These are the basics that every photographer should know and do to get reasonably good pictures out of any camera.

Make sure you have a clean lens. Don't just blow the dust off, but use a clean cloth suitable for cleaning lenses and do it right.

Set up so your camera is stable and won't move as you press the shutter. You can do this a number of ways. If you will be handholding the camera, hold your elbows in against your sides, and stand with your feet apart with one slightly forward of the other. You can also lean against a solid object like a light pole, tree, building or whatever. The best method though is to use a tripod or monopod. I have both but I like to carry the tripod best. If I want to use it as a monopod I just extend only one leg and us it as I would a monopod. I'll add instructions about to how to use these tools later.

Finally the "First" basic thing you need to do is read your manual and learn what all the parts of your camera are for and how to use them. If you understand how your meter works and what white balence is you'll go a long way to getting that shot you want when the light is wierd and you are wondering why your pictures are all dark or yellow instead of like what you saw on the monitor or in the viewfinder.

I'll expand on all these topics in the coming weeks and months so you'll want to check back and see what I've added from time to time.